26/8/18, Solihull Moors, 2pm, Conti Cup

The first competitive game between Villa and Birmingham since 2015, finally came around. A game for fans that has a little bit more on it than just a normal game as anyone on either side will tell you. The last time we played we lost 7-1 to the hosts today in the 2015 Continental Cup. A crowd of just under 650 turned up on a dreadful day, as the wind blew and the rain lashed it down. But as the rain fell the teams lined up and got the game under way.  Nadine Hanssen set the bar as she went in for a crunching tackle early on. A nervous start saw Birmingham take the early control of the ball but every time they started to get on the front foot Villa managed to deal with it. First chance of the game fell to Birmingham as Lucy Quinn couldn’t quite find a finish as we kept the score down till 0-0. Birmingham as expected was on top and had the majority of the possession but our defence was keeping it tight as Hollie Gibson was working hard to make sure that Birmingham couldn’t get an easy chance to take the lead. As the game went on Birmingham had another chance on the half hour mark as Charlie Wellings couldn’t get her effort on target as her shot didn’t get on target. On the 38th minute Alison Hall went into a mistimed challenge but Paige Williams kicked out at our player who was on the floor and the referee who was poor throughout only gave her a yellow which in the letter of the law is a red card for retaliation, this could of had a huge impact on the game, thankfully after some treatment Alison Hall was good to continue. Every single player had put in a huge shift in the 45 minutes from the goalkeeper, defence, midfield and all the way up to the forwards, everyone was working so hard with such a great team spirit.  

0-0 at half time was half the job done as we kept ourself’s in the game. Hayley Crackle who put in a shift in the first half as always, Villa through and through was replaced by the returning Jade Richards. Straight away Jade stamped her authority away as she stopped Birmingham from making a run towards goal. Aoife Hurley was working hard in the middle as always and managed to get the ball to Kerri Welsh who’s shot went wide of the target but a great start to the half for Villa Ladies. Sian Rogers was keeping Villa in the game with some incredible saves in the goal once again and as the ball fell it looked as if Birmingham was going to take the lead but Alison Hall put herself on the line as the ball hit her full in the face knocking her down, thankfully she was ok even though she had been in the wars. Ellen White was introduced by Birmingham and Kerri Welsh had been replaced by Tanisha Smith. Every player was still working so hard like, Nadine Hanssen, Alice Hassall, Aoife Hurley was all working so hard in the middle of the pitch. Hollie Gibson was keeping the Birmingham attack as quiet as possible. The warning signs were starting to come as Birmingham hit an effort that smashed the crossbar and 4 minutes later off a corner Kerys Halop opened the scoring as she headed the ball into the back of the net making it 1-0 to Birmingham. With the last 20 minutes still all to play for Villa had been a credit to themselves pushing and working hard. Phoebe Warner came on for Nadine Hanssen to freshen up the midfield for the last 10 minutes. On the 88th minute Sian Rogers pulled off an incredible save that fell to Charlie Wellings who was a country mile offside and the ball rebounded into the net making it 2-0. The referee looked at linesman waiting for the flag but linesman didn’t have a clue and it was given as 2-0 when Stevie Wonder would of given it offside. At the end of the day it didn’t really make too much difference as we battle to the final whistle and everyone emptied the tank. We might of lost the game but we won the battle. Every single player deserved the applause and credit that we give them after the game. We sung loud and proud for our Ladies all the way through the game and after.

At the final whistle couldn’t truly feel more proud of our team as they gave everything against a WSL 1 team that have international players and train full time when we our only a part time outfit. But it just goes to prove that when you put everything into what you do you can truly put up a show. We lost 2-0 on the day but proved ourself’s for the season coming up. Our next game see’s the Championship season starting when we host Manchester United at Boldemere on Sunday 9th September after a week’s break.

Team….

Sian Rogers – As always Sian pulled off some cracking saves throughout the game, keeping the score tighter and was so unlucky with the second against her name that was a mile offside after a great save.

Hayley Crackle – You will never get less than 100% from Hayley in any game as she put herself about the pitch trying to make something happen against a well drilled Birmingham team.

Elisha N’Dow – Strong and precious throughout the game, really stepped it up to keep the WSL 1 team at bay with some cracking tackles and great play.

Ashlee Brown – Back at her old stomping ground she showed why she is a fan favourite as she worked effortessly up and down the wing making sure Birmingham didn’t get free to make it count.

Hollie Gibson – Outstanding again 2 for 2, works so hard on and off the ball to keep the defence out and try and get on the attack. Today was worthy of a Player Of The Match vote again.

Aoife Hurley – Worked and worked and worked, never gave up any ball doing most of the hard work in the middle of the pitch to break up the WSL 1 momentum.

Alice Hassall – Got clattered and battered for the team in the middle getting herself in the way and breaking up the play that Birmingham tried to put together.

Nadine Hanssen – Showed her class again, alot of pressure on her to deliver but has lived up to the hype so far. Showed the passion with a crunching tackle early on to show we no pushovers.

Jodie Hutton – Battled and battled to get back and win the ball back, from start to finish Jodie’s effort level never ever drops even when maybe her energy level does, such a huge player for us.

Kerri Welsh – Ran herself ragged for 60 minutes, giving everything for the team up front, game by game gets her fitness and touch back as move forward in the season.

Alison Hall – One incredible block late on and her effort level was second to none as she pushed and pushed and put the Birmingham players off their game.

Jade Richards – So good to have Jade back and was straight back on it again doing the simple things in defence so well as she cleared the lines and brought a calmness to the defence.

Tanisha Smith – Gave us fresh legs and gave Birmingham something else to think about as we tried to get the ball to her and create something going forward.

Phoebe Warner – Came on to give us fresh legs and try and create something in the middle, as always created all kinds of problems for Birmingham to try and figure out.

Normally end the report with picking a player of the match but it quite simply isn’t a choice in today’s game where everyone from the starting line up to the substitutes played a huge part in the game. The true saying is sometimes when you don’t win, you truly win.. Today was about proving so much to ourselfs as we continue our season. So my Player Of The Match is…

(Everyone) ASTON VILLA LADIES!!